PSYC 290 is an "entry-level" experience in which students gain first-hand experience conducting laboratory research. The scope and type of work vary across disciplines and faculty, but will involve active participation in ongoing research.  Most experiences require three hours per week of laboratory for every PSYC 290 credit hour and the work is graded as S/U. 

Whether you want to be a casual researcher - just need some elective hours; an exploring researcher - thinking of research as a possible career path but would like to learn more from the graduate student or faculty member in the lab; or the determined researcher - wanting to get as much experience as possible to prepare for a Ph.D. research graduate program, you'll have the opportunity.

PSYC 290 hours count toward your overall credits in Psychology and UIUC. They do not affect your GPA and cannot satisfy any specific requirements. Consider PSYC 290 credit as elective hours.

How Do I Find Research Opportunities?

Examples of PSYC 290 Research Duties

What's Next?

- some labs have applications and some labs interview

- once you have secured a verbal agreement to work in a lab, you'll go through an approval process

- use the electronic PSYC 290 Approval Form - that will start the process 

- within a few work days, you'll receive an e-mail from Psych Advising with the appropriate 5-digit CRN

- use that CRN to enroll for PSYC 290  

**the CRN will default to one (1) credit hour - if you are receiving more than one (1) credit hour, please adjust**

Opportunities beyond PSYC 290

PSYC 290 can be a stepping stone to more involved research, PSYC 494, Advanced Research in Psychology, which can lead to additional research opportunities - Honors Program or Capstone Program - that can lead to writing a bachelor's thesis.